New adoption legislation will give adopted people univeral rights

by mary O’connor Galway Advertiser, Thu, Oct 27, 2011

New legislation when introduced will ensure that Ireland’s adopted people will have the same rights as others around the world.

That is according to Galway West Fine Gael Senator Fidelma Healy Eames who has commended the Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald, on her commitment to introducing a bill on adoption information enabling adopted people to access their birth certificates and early care records.

“I know from personal experience that the right for adopted people to know where they came from and to obtain details about their biological family history is inextricably linked to how they see themselves and their sense of personal identity.

“The Minister’s office has confirmed to me that the heads of a bill dealing with adoption information are currently being finalised and will be going before Cabinet shortly.”

The Oranmore based senator says the inclusion of retrospective tracing rights in the legislation is to be welcomed.

“It will allow many to finally find the answers to questions they have wondered about for years.”

She says the Minister is also working towards a Children’s Rights Referendum which is due before the people shortly.

“Her solid approach to her portfolio and to copper-fastening rights for our children is exemplary and I commend her for good work.

“The Adoption Rights Alliance maintains that, among other things, outdated attitudes to adopted people and their natural parents have had a detrimental effect on the release of information to adopted people. As a result processes have, in some cases, been delayed with others finding that they come up against brick walls in their search for answers. In the worst instances it has been found that delays have been so protracted that the person the adopted person has been searching for has died by the time they actually find them.”

She states this legislation, when introduced, will bring Ireland into line with international best practice and will ensure that adopted people here have the same rights as others around the world.

“It is only right that Ireland’s 50,000 plus adopted people are facilitated in their quest to be able to access their birth certificates and early care records. Every single person’s right to their own identity should be equal. This legislation will ensure that that is the case.”